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Ghost Of WU's avatar

Thank you for posting this. I was just told tonight by a family member that doesn’t watch the news or have any idea what is going on in our America. That “My little protests and being in the streets marching doesn’t matter.” And I’m “not making a difference.” They said “Nothing is affecting you and you are too concerned with things that happen every 4 years with new “presidents.”” I told them we haven’t seen a dictator before and I was laughed off. I needed to see your posted that said exactly the words.. “Our pushback is making a difference.” You spoke to me and I truly needed the affirmation that all the hard work we do matters. It really hurt my feelings to be told so harshly when they don’t even follow all the lawlessness and the trauma being done to our people. I want to wait to tell them I told you so but I don’t want to be in full dictatorship to do that. ABREGO Garcia matters, and if they come for one they come for all..

I have no family to talk to, this community is it.

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Leonard Grossman's avatar

Yes. Without the public pushback Abrego Garcia might well no longer be alive.

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Ghost Of WU's avatar

Thank you, I believe in the power of the people. I know we make a difference. And having agency makes me feel like I can help and get out the anxiety. Running for office or school board will be my next step. I’m not going to be told I don’t matter or my fellow Americans and humans aren’t important. My community is my home..💙

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Jean in Florida's avatar

Don’t let anybody, especially family, tell you that you are not important. You are important. You are making a difference. Anyone who says differently is speaking through ignorance. You are on the side of good. Thank you.

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MissNumbersNinja's avatar

I have similar challenges with some of my family.

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GeorgeC's avatar

Same. The willfully ignorant cult members regurgitate the propaganda they are fed by their thought masters (while whining incessantly about persecution and censorship). The cult is addicted to outrage.

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Ghost Of WU's avatar

I stand with you my fellow American. Peace to you..

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MissNumbersNinja's avatar

Thank you, peace to you as well!

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CJ Ormand (he/him)'s avatar

My family is like that too. They are plugged into dangerous influences like the Daily Wire and other far right conservative talking heads and have been for a while. It's really discouraging but I am super proud of you for actively participating in the pushback against the dictatorship.

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Ghost Of WU's avatar

We have this in common, unseeing people who are plugged into the hate machine. I try to stay strong and shut up around them but this is craziness. Ripping families.. you are lovely to be so kind. I care about you from here.

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ASBermant's avatar

Don’t’ let the ignorance or obstinance of those who refuse to acknowledge the harm to our Democracy; instead, let it inspire you to defeat this MAGA cult.

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Shelley Powers's avatar

I have disassociated myself from any Trump person and I feel better for it.

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Doug Tarnopol's avatar

Tell that family member to go to hell and cut them off. Get rid of all fascists in your life. I did: trust me, it’s much, much better that way. They’re gaslighting sadistic garbage.

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Ghost Of WU's avatar

I have been distancing myself and I told my sister that I can’t have contact with people that are harmful to my mental. She called through my son’s phone and acted like nothing was wrong. She and her husband drink raw milk, do intermittent fasting and believe DOGE will send them a check soon. Her husband is a Jack Mormon, he left the Mormon cult to go into another.. and dragging my sister. My only living parent is a 3 time Trumper so I am having some very hard decisions to make about my 87 yrs old father and all my MAGA family. It hurts. I need this platform to feel sane. And marching I see all the faces of our country that still have frontal lobe functioning. 💙

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GeorgeC's avatar

The stupid is strong with some folks. They seem to need to be led and outraged . .

Focus on your own happiness.

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Leonard Grossman's avatar

Chris Geidner's essay excellently captures the essence of what Judge Wilkinson wrote.

And the following quotation from Wilkinson's Order is what the rule of law is all about:

<"“The government asserts that Abrego Garcia is a terrorist and a member of MS-13. Perhaps, but perhaps not,” Wilkinson wrote. “Regardless, he is still entitled to due process.“ Additionally, he noted, the government admitted his removal was a mistake.

“Why then should it not make what was wrong, right?“>

Thank you.

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Lance Khrome's avatar

Judge Wilkinson's compelling prose probably was enough to embarrass four of the 6 hard-right on Scotus to vote to (temporarily) stop all rendition flights out of the US on a 7-2 decision. No prizes for correctly guessing who the 2 dissents were.

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Harry Gewanter's avatar

A well-written, concise, spot-on, excellent review of a well-written, concise, spot-on and excellent judicial order

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Lance Khrome's avatar

But, according to Seb Gorka, one of the least distinguished members of a horribly flawed Executive, Judge Wilkinson and his two colleagues should be charged with — wait for it — "aiding and abetting a foreign terrorist", as calling — nay, insisting — upon "due process" is akin to "material support something something".

*Pace* Judge Wilkinson's passionate plea to members of tRump's cabinet, I'm afraid that Gorka's intemperate outburst is much more in tune with that crowd's current mindset than what the good judge would hope to be a more chastened response.

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MissNumbersNinja's avatar

"His statement on Thursday, joined by his colleagues, is a message that few in the legal world will miss, is a warning that members of the Trump administration and the president himself must understand, and is a lesson for us all."

Chris, excellent writeup as always, thank you! Regarding the warning they must understand, what do you think the Trump administration and the president took away from this statement?

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Robin Basney's avatar

Thanks for taking time to go through it. I will sleep better tonight with a little bit of hope.

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Ted Faraone's avatar

Illegitimate non carborundum.

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Noorillah's avatar

Beautiful! Thank you for the guided tour, and especially for the chance to meet Wilkinson and experience his thinking and the power of his well-chosen words. What a welcome relief from the gutter spewing from the White House and the DOJ. In his words, i recognize America again.

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Dax Jac's avatar

When this all blows up in trumps face like so many of his ventures have!! He will be protected from these transgressions because the SCOTUS over stepped their boundaries and gave him full immunity!!

But every one of his cronies should be held accountable for such reckless and lawless act!

Saying they were ordered to do so shall not be a defense!!

They should be punished badly!! So such up and down lawlessness within an administration will never happen again

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Judy Phillips's avatar

Finally some good news. So glad to start my day with this story! Thank you, Chris. And well done, Senator Van Hollen.

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Anthony Oropeza's avatar

The U.S. Constitution is what separates our form of government from any other in the history of mankind; it makes our country a beacon of light to the rest of the world and yet it is fragile & can easily be destroyed if not for simple yet powerful words like Judge Wilkinsons interpretation. Today is a good day for Hope, Liberty and Freedom.

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Ira Bloom's avatar

The US constitution is a failed experiment. Your founding fathers underestimated both the immorality of MAGA politicians and the stupidity of MAGA followers.

It was a good run while it lasted.

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Shelley Powers's avatar

I definitely felt Wilkinson was talking to SCOTUS. I think he knew this would go to SCOTUS again and he was trying to signal to SCOTUS to just leave the thing alone if there's any hope to have rule of law survive what Trump and his minions are doing.

I also think this was a jibe at Republicans everywhere, including my own rep, Buddy Carter, who tried to impeach Boasberg.

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Kathy Gayaldo's avatar

Thank God.

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Jean in Florida's avatar

Thanks for your excellent and timely review.

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Rod Hill's avatar

This post inspired me me to read the full text of the order. A beautifully written judgement that should be read by everyone.

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Jim Lewis's avatar

Let’s hope that Justice Roberts, the supposed “institutionalist” who should provide leadership for the judicial branch and support for his colleagues, reads this opinion carefully and follows its lead.

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